Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-08-20
WAS IT DOROTHY !?

Now, Uncle Buttonball, / think you
are foolishly prejudiced about 1t"
Mr.. Benedict Buttonball, commonly
called "Uncle Ben" shook his head at
Frank WorralPs levity.
Maybe l am" said he, "but we're not
10 blame for our convictions. can't help
mine, anyhow. And l couldn't any more
marry in the face of my promise to Heph-
sibah than I could-join the Mormonsw
Paulina Pepper is a pretty girl" said
Frank, "and a good girl too, although not
young"
IF she was she wouldn't be suitable to
me-" said Mr.. Buttonball 81 don't deny
that it's all true enough, what you say.
But, you perceive, | am the victim of cir
cumstances"
Circumstances be hanged p calculated
Frank Worrall, losing his temper at last
and banging the door behind him, rs he
hurried out of the room.
Mr.. Buttonball again shook his head,
took his silver spectacles out of their case,
and unfolded the newspaper.
"Polly Pepper would make nice wife"
he thought to himself. "As plump and
round and fresh-colored as September
peach, or 4 cabbage rose; and woman,
too, that thoroughly understands house
keeping | almost wish hadn't promised
my dear departed Hephsibah never 40
marry again But its all past and over
and it can't be undone, more's the pity ~
Isn't he 4 foolr' said Dorothy Martin.
"And is he really so superstitious about
breaking the promise that that unrea-
sonable virago of wife extorted from
him.?
Unquestionably he is" said Frank
Worrall. suppose he actually believes
that my Aunt Hephsibah would haunt
him if he married again without her ex-
press permission. For a man of ordinary
intelligence Uncle Buttonball is super
stitious"
How Y' question Dorothy.
"Oh, he sees winding sheets in the can
die, believes there will be a death in the
family if 4 dog chances to howl under. the
window, and would sooner cnt off his right
hand than begin haying or go on jour
ney of Friday"
Frank " hesitatingly began Dorothy.
Welw
What sort of woman was your Aunt
Hephsibah? You know ] never saw her
She died before came to Hopton to live"
"A little, fat woman, with spectacles and
a brown fore-top, who always wore brown
gingham and talked through her nose. /
forgot, though-she had uionstrosity of
cap, with frill two inches wide all around
I md Il Z az,
bon perched on the very top--a guy of Il
cap, only fit for a scarecrow."
mot at all like Paulina Pepper" said
Dorothy. cana Paulina really likes Mr.
Buttonball-and she needs a home, poor
thing. Not to speak of Mr.. Buttcnball's
evident admiration of Paulina 1t would
certainly be match il"
If it wasn't for the departed saint in
snuti-oolored ribbons" said Frank, with an
irreyerent imitation Of his Uncle Button
balls peculiar information when speaking
OF his deceased wife.
Poor Paulina " said Dorothy.
And poor Uncle Buttonball," echoed
Frank Worrall Upon the whole,
darling, it looks like hard case"
Past II O'clock" said Uncle Button
ball, looking up at the clock over the rims
Of the silver spectacleS. swell. | hadn't
an idea it was so late. And showing and
blowing like all possessed, and the wind
bowling down the chimney fit to set 4
mans teeth on edge. Just such night as
poor Hephsibah died four wears ago.
and-bless me-" with slight cold shiver
down his spinal column, if it amt
the 18th of November-the identical
anniversary of the sad event. Poor
Hephsy,' folding his hands and looking
thoughtfully into the fire; Il hope she's
happy in the other world. She never took
much comfort in this, what with flies and
dust and poor kitchen help"
And then Mr.. Buttonball fell into doze
or reverie-he never could be quite Ger
tain which, from which he was aroused by
the old kitchen clock striking II.
Midnight! 1t amt possibler cried
Mr.. Buttonball, chilly, uncomfortable and
superstitious "And the fire cen Almost
QUIT ~gues II rake-it-ast -aaas ge-t to
bed"
But as he rose with a sort of rheumatic.
stiffness from his chair the door leading
tfrem the buttery creaked slightly, slow,
heavy footstep sounded on the floor. and
looking around with startled and dilated
eyes, Mr.. Buttonball beheld-the departed
Hephsibah.
. Benedictr' spoke out the quiverints
and nasal voice. :" Benedict Benedictri
ut was always so, Uncle Buttonball re
'a.auahered, in all well-authenticated ghoss
stories thtsummons was distinctly enun-
GATED three Tune
Well-w-well, lu- dear. suffered
air Buttonball, holding tight to the arms
Of his chair lest his teeth .houId ehatte,.
him off from it.
= have brought a messag. from tbe
other world, Benedics,n solemnv utterpf /
The Presence. " YOU want Il marrs
againr'
"N-not If you obiec, 10 it. ny dear,
faitered the shaking widower. sIl-A
4Peacel Disturb not the voices of i /
higher sphere
" No, my DEAR / WON'T" said the sub
missive husband.
Peace, | say" (Hephsibah's old way
OF putting him down, without a loophoie
for argumenD and listen. You are alb
solved from your promise to contract nd
secon marriage. You are free agent
My eyes are opened Row to many things.